'The best in the Premier League era' has become the benchmark in English football these days, as if the European Cup-winning sides of the 1970s and 1980s never existed. But, for what it's worth, this weekend's line-up for the FA Cup semi-finals is pushing hard for that accolade.

Two of the biggest derby matches take centre stage in the English Premier League this weekend when Everton host Liverpool and Tottenham face Arsenal. On recent evidence the Merseyside clash is likely to be tight and fierce, while the showdown in north London promises more goals and excitement for the purists.

Liverpool great Bruce Grobbelaar likes to speak his mind and he was scathing in his criticism of Reds coach Rafael Benitez this week, saying the Spaniard's rotation policy was nothing less than an 'absolute disaster'.

Nielsen was responding to criticisms of UEFA that the body was too slow in deciding to postpone some Champions League' and UEFA Cup matches out of respect for the many victims of Tuesdays terror attacks in the US.

AS expected, Premier League matches on Cable have improved markedly in the past month with quality entertainment and goals, which had been conspicuously lacking in earlier weeks, suddenly catching the eye.

YOWZA! How about that Everton v Coventry match (Wharf) on Sunday? It was appropriate that the Sky Blues, comfortably enscon-ced in mid-table were the opposition because Everton have picked up their baton as the last-day survival specialists.

But didn't Howard Kendall's men put their fans through the emotional grinder before the final whistle.

THE tone for the day was set by turning on to Radio Four and hearing a vicar endorsing theft from supermarkets. What could follow that? A rail timetable without the word 'cancelled' on it? An Everton victory?

TWO clubs with proud traditions but decidedly red faces at the moment meet tomorrow in English football's Match of the Day.

Everton and Sheffield Wednesday both started the Premiership with a bang but their seasons reached an embarrassing low point on Tuesday when they were knocked out of the League Cup second round by lower division opposition.